The schools in the Catholic Diocese of Armidale are building a Professional Learning Community in a Catholic context as a vehicle for school improvement. The schools are in a period of significant change, as articulated in their Strategic Improvement Plan 2019 – 2021. Examples include the use of action learning, data walls and instructional rounds to build a teacher professional learning model that is site based and strongly related to the importance of the principal as an instructional leader.
The Diocese of Armidale is led by Bishop Michael Kennedy and covers a significant portion of North Western NSW. It is the second largest diocese by area in New South Wales
The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) administers the 24 Catholic schools on behalf of the Bishop of Armidale. The Director, Mr Chris Smyth, is directly responsible to the Bishop through the Bishop’s Commission for Catholic Schools.
The position of Consultant: School Performance sits within the Armidale CSO and is a member of the CSO Leadership Team. The CSO has a staff of approximately 50 and provides a range of support to the schools, which comprise 19 primary, two central and three secondary schools.
The Consultant: School Performance is the key link for schools to the System of schools which provides the strategic direction, coaching and resources to support this professional learning in schools; and to enable schools to collaborate on similar initiatives and share insights into school improvement.
Armidale is a city in the Northern Tablelands of NSW. With an estimated population of 25,000 it is the administrative centre for the Northern Tablelands region. It is approximately halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and two hours from the coast.
Armidale has a unique blend of culture, state of the art technology, educational diversity and natural beauty. It enjoys a warm summer, tones of amber during the autumn, a crisp winter and an exhilarating spring.
Further Information
Additional information, including strategic planning documents, can be viewed by visiting the CSO website located at http://arm.catholic.edu.au
Position Overview
Position Title: Consultant: School Performance
Reports to: Deputy Director
Position Purpose
Build capacity of Catholic school principals and leadership teams to enable effective and efficient instructional leadership, and management of a Catholic Professional Learning Community.
Key Accountabilities
- Contribute to the ongoing development of a Catholic Professional Learning Community based on our Catholic Principles and Values and commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church in Australia.
- Articulate a vision for system improvement based on a sound understanding of what it means to be a Catholic Professional Learning Community, our Catholic Core Principles and Values, and the CSO “Non-negotiables”.
- Demonstrate strong relational and collaborative leadership skills that inspire high expectations for improving system and school performance through a sound change management approach.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of contemporary learning and teaching, and academic pastoral care.
- Demonstrate the capacity to be a strong strategic and instructional leader who uses research, evidence of impact and past achievements to support and challenge school improvement.
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through current professional learning and academic qualifications.
- Ensure that schools have strategic directions, plans and processes in place, including Annual Improvement Planning by each school.
- Support schools in the implementation of system initiatives.
- Build the capacity of School Leadership Teams.
- Monitor Principal wellbeing.
- Ensure governance and system accountabilities are met.
Reporting Relationships
This role reports to the Deputy Director. The position works closely with another Consultant: School Performance and an Administration Officer, and is responsible for Principals.
The Consultant: School Performance takes responsibility for a mix of primary, central and secondary schools.
Commencement
It is anticipated the successful applicant will be able to commence in this role for the start of the 2020 school year.
Location and Travel
The Catholic Schools Office is situated in Barney St, Armidale. Given the nature of the role, there will be considerable time spent travelling to schools within the diocese.
Conditions of Employment
- A salary and superannuation consistent with CSO salary scales (Current salary $175,094 gross per annum + 9.5% super).
- A comprehensively insured vehicle is available as part of the role and will be supplied in accordance with CSO guidelines
- Salary packaging is available.
- Payment of reasonable relocation expenses.
- A mobile phone and laptop are provided.
- The CSO provides additional, ex gratia leave during the Christmas period and ten days compensatory leave is provided for employees required to travel and as a consequence are regularly away from home. This leave must be taken within the year it falls due.
- Further study and professional development opportunities.
- The successful candidate will be subject to mandatory child protection screening including a working with children check and a National Criminal History Record Check.
- The successful candidate will hold a current driver’s license and be willing and able to undertake travel to fulfil the requirements of this position.
- The initial contract period is for 5 years (with a 6 month probation period).
Selection Criteria
It is anticipated that the successful applicant will:
- be able to demonstrate a commitment to the vision and mission of Catholic Education;
- have proven senior leadership experience in Catholic Education. This will include an ability to:
- build instructional leadership and school improvement capacity in schools;
- dialogue with Principals to support and challenge the development and implementation of school Annual Improvement Plans and strategies;
- actively support Principals to work as effective instructional leaders to lead student- centred learning and teaching in their schools;
- drive improvement and innovation in schools in line with contemporary research;
- share their experience in leading strategic initiatives in learning and teaching (K-12) to enhance student experience and learning outcomes.
- demonstrate a desire for continuing professional development and ongoing learning; combined with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.
Are You Interested in This Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1415. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.
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Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
The Selection Process
Key dates are as follows:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Week of Mon 9th Sept |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Monday 30th Sept |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 14th Oct |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 21st or 28th Oct |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
The gap between applications closing and likely interview dates is to accommodate potential issues for people due to possible unavailability during the school term break period.
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
- Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
- A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
- At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
- A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule.
- At the appropriate time we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
- We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Catholic Priest as referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process. You should always expect that before reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to Director of Schools or his nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.
